The Potting Shed

paula · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: help and ideas please

Hi all, not been around muc soooooooooo busy,
anyway I need some help if possible please

I am very lucky to have been given an unwashed freshly shawn sheeps fleece, for our local primary school, mainly my sons reception class, no I have it I am stuck for what to do with it,.
any ideas please, bearing in mind they are 5ish.......
I am happy to wash, assist children with washing, but how, etc and then what a wheel i fear is too much for these little ones....
any ideas, advice greatly received
Thanks all
Paula

Kathy · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject:

Nice to "see" you Paula. Smile

There's an article somewhere about the best way to prepare the fleece, I'll see if I can find it tomorrow. The easiest thing to do would be some felting, kids love all the soap, water and rubbing. Laughing

alison · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject:

Our reception and year ones did felt making, with various colours of felt, dyed before hand, and some lovely sheep collages, identical, but looked stunning as a display.

paula · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:

Sounds great,
but being a real dip how do you do felt making ??
thanks all

Kathy · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject:

Some links Paula. Smile

http://www.feltbetter.com/feltMaking.asp
http://www.gfwsheep.com/felting/felt.html

When I've done it I've had wool that's already been carded (brushed with what looks like a large dogs slicker brush). I didn't use a bamboo mat, just rubbed it in the bubble wrap and it worked fine. I'd suggest trying a little bit at home and you don't need huge pieces to satisfy kids.

Here's a picture of carders in case you don't know what they are:

Bovey Belle · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject:

I have a fresh Jacob's fleece downstairs which I bought at the Smallholder's last weekend. I used to wash my fleeces very gently in used bathwater, leave to soak overnight, then drain off and rinse. We would hang them out on the line to drain in large onion bags (from the market). Depending on how dirty the fleece is, you should be able to use the cleaner parts without washing - what think you Kathy? I spin straight from the fleece if it isn't a stinky one.
_________________
http://codlinsandcream.blogspot.com/

Kathy · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

We did ours like that too Bovey.
Lots of people spin straight from the fleece but I've never tried it for felting. I would think if it's not too smelly you could just card it then felt it.